Assessment of GOBI-FFF in a Rural Area of Mymensingh District, Bangladesh

Abstract

GOBI–FFF stands for growth monitoring, oral rehydration, breast feeding, immunization, female education, family spacing and food supplementation. GOBI-FFF is a UNICEF strategy for package for maternal and child health. A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted to assess GOBI-FFF in a rural area of Mymensingh district, Bangladesh. We adopted a purposive type of non-probability sampling technique. A total of 180 under-five children were studied by interviewing 142 mothers based on a pre-designed questionnaire in November 2022 in Churkhai village, Bhavokhali union of Mymensingh Sadar upazila under Mymensingh district.  Our sample size was 180 (under-five children) in respect to 5 components and it was 142 (mothers of those children) in respect to 2 components of GOBI-FFF. Age distribution of 180 under-five children ranged from 2 months to 59 months; their mean age was 27.89±16.622 months. Females were predominant (male 45%, and female 55%); male-female ratio was 1:1.22. The prevalence of growth monitoring was 19.44% only. The prevalence of oral rehydration, breast feeding, immunization and food supplementation were 91.11%, 87.78%, 91.67% and 82.82% respectively. Growth monitoring was not satisfactory. The other components of GOBI-F) were excellent. Age distribution of 142 respondent mothers ranged from 16 years to 40 years. The mean age was 25.67±5.646 years. The majority of the mothers (86.62%) were literate. Female education improved across generations from 21.83% to 86.62% to 97.89%. The majority of respondents (65.49%) adopted birth spacing and family planning. 

CBMJ 2026 July: Vol. 15 No. 02 P:98-101